Young friends of mine will be burying the body of their 54 year old dad this week. Sunday, after a day of hiking, he laid down for a short rest and awoke in heaven, meeting Jesus face to face.

This unexpected death has been a shock to those of us who knew Mark, as he was physically fit, and still in the prime of his life. Now he won’t be here to finish raising his five children. He’ll miss his only daughter’s baptism this Sunday. Though this family’s loss is excruciating, Mark is exactly where God planned he would be today. God is the Sovereign Ruler of everything, and that includes these seemingly unbearable times, which He has ordained for all of us to walk through.

For those who follow the Son of God, you have a promise that your Creator is also the Comforter and Healer, sufficient for all your pain.

The musical group MercyMe wrote a beautiful song called, “The Hurt and the Healer”…I recommend its biblical message. One of the great mysteries of being a child of God is that He begins the healing process even before He allows our hearts to be broken. In times of deep sorrow we have an infinite supply of mercy awaiting us, if we will ask for it. Though our pain seems sure to destroy, it can be changed into blessing. Though our loss appears to be all bad, God intends to make it all good.

It’s our brokenness that draws us closer to God, opening our eyes to His love, and changing our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. These are the times when our walk with God becomes “essential.” When we acutely realize our desperate need for Him we are made partakers in His suffering, and we are given a sharper knowledge of Him, that can last until this life on earth is over, and He takes us into His presence victorious!

Mark’s first walk on earth is finished. But he’ll be back, and his family will be together again. God’s Big Picture is full of unexpecteds, some are very painful, but all end in joy!